Johnny's WEST Con, well after the fact
Because why sleep when you can NOT sleep?
Went to Johnny's WEST PaRiPiPo at Yokoari on May 4th (May the Fourth Be With You). Took some random notes, so here. I'll write them up. Let's see if they still make sense.
The lighting rigs on the ceiling were arranged to spell out WEST, which I thought was a nice detail, if a very subtle one.
Junta and Hama-chan had the same bowlcut haircut. Kamiyama was very blond, with both ears pierced and lots of eyeliner, looking very Kpop-ish. Not that any of that is new. But that's what I wrote.
Kotaki was late for a song after a costume change.
I liked "I Can't Stop Loving You" or whatever the song is called.
Matori! We got lots of Matori! Good, because he's talisa_ahn's favorite.
Ryuta stole Kusumoto's hair and Koji's hair was just gross.
Junta's first costume said JASMINE across his lower back.
PariPari song - Koji/Matori w/Kotaki in beetween, arms around each other's shoulders.
Junta still usually in shorter pants, often with hats. Things change, but they don't really change, huh?
They had color-coded tour water bottles. That was cute.
The MC started 45 minutes into the show, which seemed early.
They wrote about each other, and when asked if Kotaki wrote about Akito, he replied in English: "Yes, it's me."
Ryusei likes Aiba and Ohkura and they talked about being kakemochi. He mimed flipping uchiwa around to the other side and said everyone does it! (Not true! But I do see your point.)
They pointed out that Aiba and Ohkura are both green, and said he must like the green ones (I understand, Ryusei! Me, too!), and therefore Kamiyama. When Kami-chan came back from changing, Ryusei hugged him. Junta was all "ooh, fanservice!" at them.
Kami-chan also had a black cross on his cheek below his eye. My guess is in eyeliner? Idk.
MC ended around 19:15 (so about half an hour) and went to a video medley.
Junior corner and some of the juniors were wearing Kisumai costumes. The blue/silver swooshy ones that I call the Eien no Ticket costumes because they're from 2nd tour, anyway. Ryuta even had Senga's shirt with all the holes, poor him. Koji was wearing the drapey cowl-neck tee that Yokoo(?) had.
Also people wearing what I wrote down as: military fatigues and blue? "Peace" in gold? Whose costumes?
It took me ages to figure it out later, but finally realized they're old NEWS costumes. The Peace was Shige's, I believe. Could be wrong, though. Those things are OLD. Also, I think they got passed down ages ago, but anyways.
There was lots of harmonizing in the concert. Because you know, Hama-chan and Kami-chan can do that. Kisumai, COME ON.
Really enjoyed Party Maniacs because Junta! Dancing! Yay!
Matori totally forgot to go off the right way after Bang Bang!
Con first ended at 20:00, then went right to video instead of waiting for an encore call.
Junta traded towels with a girl in encore.
Actual end was 20:12. That feels like a short con to me, but I guess it's fairly normal? Hmm.
Anyway, it was exactly what I was hoping for in a way. It was a decent con, and I'm glad they're doing well. I've been struggling with my feelings for the group since they were announced and every time I go to their stuff hoping to resolve things and it doesn't happen. But this time it did! It was a good show, they're doing great... and I felt no attachment. I'm happy that they could debut and I'm proud of what they're doing, but I also don't feel like they need my support. Pssh, I'm just one person, what does it matter? Although every person counts, I realize that. But I'm happy to let them go and do their thing, and I'm glad that I got to watch them grow until this point and have fun times. It was a nice way to end, and to say goodbye. I'm sure I'll always have a fondness for them, but I have no desire to follow them and that became clear with this show. It's a resolved, happy farewell and leaves me feeling good about it - no bitterness. For that, I'm glad. Best of luck to them!
Went to Johnny's WEST PaRiPiPo at Yokoari on May 4th (May the Fourth Be With You). Took some random notes, so here. I'll write them up. Let's see if they still make sense.
The lighting rigs on the ceiling were arranged to spell out WEST, which I thought was a nice detail, if a very subtle one.
Junta and Hama-chan had the same bowlcut haircut. Kamiyama was very blond, with both ears pierced and lots of eyeliner, looking very Kpop-ish. Not that any of that is new. But that's what I wrote.
Kotaki was late for a song after a costume change.
I liked "I Can't Stop Loving You" or whatever the song is called.
Matori! We got lots of Matori! Good, because he's talisa_ahn's favorite.
Ryuta stole Kusumoto's hair and Koji's hair was just gross.
Junta's first costume said JASMINE across his lower back.
PariPari song - Koji/Matori w/Kotaki in beetween, arms around each other's shoulders.
Junta still usually in shorter pants, often with hats. Things change, but they don't really change, huh?
They had color-coded tour water bottles. That was cute.
The MC started 45 minutes into the show, which seemed early.
They wrote about each other, and when asked if Kotaki wrote about Akito, he replied in English: "Yes, it's me."
Ryusei likes Aiba and Ohkura and they talked about being kakemochi. He mimed flipping uchiwa around to the other side and said everyone does it! (Not true! But I do see your point.)
They pointed out that Aiba and Ohkura are both green, and said he must like the green ones (I understand, Ryusei! Me, too!), and therefore Kamiyama. When Kami-chan came back from changing, Ryusei hugged him. Junta was all "ooh, fanservice!" at them.
Kami-chan also had a black cross on his cheek below his eye. My guess is in eyeliner? Idk.
MC ended around 19:15 (so about half an hour) and went to a video medley.
Junior corner and some of the juniors were wearing Kisumai costumes. The blue/silver swooshy ones that I call the Eien no Ticket costumes because they're from 2nd tour, anyway. Ryuta even had Senga's shirt with all the holes, poor him. Koji was wearing the drapey cowl-neck tee that Yokoo(?) had.
Also people wearing what I wrote down as: military fatigues and blue? "Peace" in gold? Whose costumes?
It took me ages to figure it out later, but finally realized they're old NEWS costumes. The Peace was Shige's, I believe. Could be wrong, though. Those things are OLD. Also, I think they got passed down ages ago, but anyways.
There was lots of harmonizing in the concert. Because you know, Hama-chan and Kami-chan can do that. Kisumai, COME ON.
Really enjoyed Party Maniacs because Junta! Dancing! Yay!
Matori totally forgot to go off the right way after Bang Bang!
Con first ended at 20:00, then went right to video instead of waiting for an encore call.
Junta traded towels with a girl in encore.
Actual end was 20:12. That feels like a short con to me, but I guess it's fairly normal? Hmm.
Anyway, it was exactly what I was hoping for in a way. It was a decent con, and I'm glad they're doing well. I've been struggling with my feelings for the group since they were announced and every time I go to their stuff hoping to resolve things and it doesn't happen. But this time it did! It was a good show, they're doing great... and I felt no attachment. I'm happy that they could debut and I'm proud of what they're doing, but I also don't feel like they need my support. Pssh, I'm just one person, what does it matter? Although every person counts, I realize that. But I'm happy to let them go and do their thing, and I'm glad that I got to watch them grow until this point and have fun times. It was a nice way to end, and to say goodbye. I'm sure I'll always have a fondness for them, but I have no desire to follow them and that became clear with this show. It's a resolved, happy farewell and leaves me feeling good about it - no bitterness. For that, I'm glad. Best of luck to them!